Youth ministry hacks are helpful for a variety of tasks. But they’re also useful for spurring growth, both numerical and spiritual. Healthy things grow. It’s true of babies, plants and youth ministry.
If you want a healthy youth ministry, then you have to discover ways to get your youth group to grow, both with new believers and in spiritual maturity. So use these 10 Bible-based youth ministry hacks to make that happen.
10 Growth-Focused Youth Ministry Hacks
1. Pray like you mean it.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
The Apostle Paul prayed for the Philippian believers to grow. He wanted them to grow in their love, knowledge, discernment, purity and righteousness. He wanted them to grow spiritually, so he prayed that way. Do you relentlessly pray for the spiritual growth of your teenagers? Are your adult leaders following your lead?
If not, start. Prayer is one of the most important youth ministry hacks. It takes zero budget. Yet you can unleash the most powerful force in the universe to transform your youth ministry…God’s.
2. Create an intercessory and invitational culture.
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
When teenagers pray for the lost, they see the lost. Just like when you buy a new car, you start seeing that same brand of car everywhere. Spend time praying for the lost personally, with your leaders and in your youth group meetings. I know of one large youth group that begins every meeting on their knees praying for lost friends. Not a bad idea. And again, zero budget.
When teens start interceding for their friends during youth group, they’ll start inviting their friends to youth group. So create a culture that’s authentic, fun, highly relational and not afraid to dive into the Word. What you lack in budget, make up for in prayer, duct tape and creativity. On a curriculum level, Dare 2 Share has a growing number of high quality, FREE curriculum to help get you started. Click here to download.
3. Give the Gospel every week no matter what.
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
An easy outreach hack is to give the Gospel in youth group every week, no matter what. When teens realize you’ll always share the Gospel message, they’ll bring their friends to hear it.
As a youth leader, I did this youth ministry hack, and our group grew significantly. When I was a church planter I did this, and the church grew significantly. When you give the Gospel every week at youth group (combined with prayer and a contagious culture), your youth group should grow significantly.
